Pardon the Interruption
From artificial intelligence to blockchains to mobile app enhancements, food retailers are exploring fascinating new technologies that promise to make the grocery shopping experience as frictionless as possible. Supermarkets are continuing to enlarge their e-commerce presence, investing in technology for more-efficient operations and smoother, more-encompassing online encounters for shoppers. From interviews with some of the experts, FoodDive.com has identified five technology trends for the grocery marketplace in 2018.
Artificial Intelligence – Large retailers are turning to machine learning for improved inventory management and store deliveries.
Voice Ordering – As online shopping increases, grocery retailers will start taking advantage of the power of voice ordering. The technology could allow shoppers to easily reorder from lists and add products simply and seamlessly.
Blockchain – From a more-transparent and efficient supply chain to improved store distribution and promotional benefits, blockchain technology has the potential to have the food industry’s players speaking the same language – making data management more uniform, more secure and speedier.
Rapid Checkout – Scan-and-go systems are being adopted in small increments by some of the industry’s biggest players, which, if successful, will only lead to more-widespread usage.
Mobile App Enhancements – Supermarket operators are poised to achieve more robust integration of mobile technology into online ordering, linking apps with shopper loyalty cards and offering shopping list builders, recipes, digital coupons and other features.